Lennon (right) gets the 'vibe' that Aiden McGeady wants to leave Celtic

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes Aiden McGeady wants to leave the Scottish Premier League club.

The winger was left out of Celtic's North American tour, which opened with a 1-0 defeat by Philadelphia Union, after suffering a thigh injury.

"I know there are conspiracy theories, but it's a genuine injury, said the Celtic manager.

"Aiden hasn't said to me he wants to leave in so many words. But that vibe came from his side of things."

McGeady, who has been linked with a move to Aston Villa, was the recent subject of a rebuffed approach from Spartak Moscow.

It was pointless bringing Aiden here if he wasn't going to train and play Celtic manager Neil Lennon

But the Celtic boss senses that the 24-year-old has his mind set on a move while stressing that the player was left behind in Scotland for health reasons.

"He picked it up in a bounce game on Saturday behind closed doors," added Lennon.

"We felt that, if we were looking at 10 days, the travelling would make it worse.

"It was pointless bringing him here if he wasn't going to train and play."

Celtic without McGeady suffered defeat in the opening match of their North American tour.

Midfielder Joe Ledley made his debut for the club as a second-half substitute, following his move from Cardiff.

Fellow new arrival Charlie Mulgrew also featured off the bench but then had to be replaced after suffering a cut above his right eye.

The decisive goal came in the 23rd minute when Eduardo Coudet played in French forward Sebastien Le Toux, who went past Celtic's American goalkeeper Dominic Cervi before slotting the ball into the net.

Lennon's side continue their tour with a match against Manchester United on Friday.

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